On January 6, a mob of pro-Trump extremists motivated by then-President Donald Trump's lies about the 2020 election stormed the United States Capitol in a deadly failed insurrection.
Hoping to stop the congressional certification of then-President-elect Joe Biden's victory, the mob shattered windows, beat police officers, ransacked offices, smeared excrement across the walls and threatened the lives of even Republican elected officials.
The chaos went on for hours before Trump finally told the rioters to go home, placating them by saying they were very "special" and that he loved them.
Though his administration condemned the violence later, Trump continues to spout the same delusions that incited it in the first place: that Democrats engaged in widespread election fraud to somehow "steal" the election from Trump.
Now, the Capitol is heightening security yet again, as hundreds of conservatives prepare to descend on the building in a "Justice for J6" rally advocating for the rioters.
On Friday, Trump expressed his support in a statement for those who stormed the Capitol earlier this year on his behalf.
Statement by Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States of America https://t.co/lCHgrVeX2S— RSBN 🇺🇸 (@RSBN 🇺🇸) 1631815572.0
Referring to the deadly insurrection as a "protest," he wrote:
"Our hearts and minds are with the people being persecuted so unfairly relating to the January 6th protest concerning the Rigged Presidential Election. In addition to everything else, it has proven conclusively that we are a two-tiered system of justice. In the end, however, JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!"
Social media users condemned the statement en masse.
This is the most self-serving, BS loaded, irresponsible, statement by a former president. https://t.co/gUb0tmgBRu— Guwa (@Guwa) 1631845144.0
Call this guy the traitorous malcontent that he is!! And saddle every elected R that doesn’t condemn this treache… https://t.co/1hACUWX0FX— Tara Setmayer (@Tara Setmayer) 1631820838.0
Go crawl back under the rock you came from. https://t.co/I2hmMZd5sg— Don Crepeau (@Don Crepeau) 1631875341.0
if he is not dragged in for questioning and prosecution there is no point to any of this. https://t.co/CwEnd1OorK— Oscar Nunez (@Oscar Nunez) 1631821678.0
Trump expressed solidarity with rioters arrested in Jan. 6 attack. This is what happens when you let Trump get awa… https://t.co/J8PTZlTFPJ— 𝙶𝚘𝚗𝚣𝚘 𝚁𝚎𝚍𝚞𝚡 (@𝙶𝚘𝚗𝚣𝚘 𝚁𝚎𝚍𝚞𝚡) 1631837472.0
What I simply cannot understand is that they DO NOT KNOW that he really, really HATES THEIR GUTS!! The only thing h… https://t.co/iRAAb7yarP— DeeBee (@DeeBee) 1631893931.0
Some said it was Trump himself who should be facing justice.
Countless cult leaders have been taken down by the FBI, yet Donald Trump is free to continue encouraging chaos and… https://t.co/m9nbju9pjw— Change is now (@Change is now) 1631835064.0
YOU SHOULD BE ONE OF THEM. YOU KNEW WHAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND WATCHED IT ON TV https://t.co/csSNCeg42d— Betty Keithley (@Betty Keithley) 1631821283.0
For justice to prevail.. you should be prosecuted for treason, conspiracy to commit murder amongst numerous other c… https://t.co/dWTZ7Jx4gC— One Eye Optimistic (@One Eye Optimistic) 1631829489.0
The House Select Committee regarding January 6, despite widespread opposition from Republican members of Congress, continues to investigate the insurrection.